Sen. Toni Harp Owes Voters An Explanation Of Family Business Issues

State Sen. Toni Harp makes a point during a debate July 16 among Democratic candidates for New Haven mayor.

State Sen. Toni Harp makes a point during a debate July 16 among Democratic candidates for New Haven mayor. (Stan Godlewski / Special to the Courant)

EditorialThe Hartford Courant

If she hopes to inspire confidence that she can lead one of the state's largest cities, state Sen. Toni Harp needs to do better than "I don't know."

Ms. Harp, a 20-year state legislator and front-runner in the race to succeed New Haven Mayor John DeStefano Jr., was overwhelmingly endorsed for the post this week by the Elm City's Democratic Town Committee. But she still has not adequately addressed issues raised by opponents about her family's property management business, Renaissance Management Co., run for many years by her late husband, Wendell Harp, and now by her son.

The state Department of Revenue Services lists the company as, far and away, the largest delinquent business taxpayer in the state, owing more than $1 million. The Harps were called "slumlords" by mayoral hopeful Kermit Carolina, and tenants in one of the buildings described slum-like conditions, as first reported by the New Haven Independent.

Also, candidate Henry Fernandez criticized Ms. Harp for voting this year in favor of a tax amnesty program that reduces the amount of interest that businesses and individuals must pay on their back taxes. She said she didn't know if her son planned to apply for the program.

Ms. Harp has said she knew nothing of her husband's business dealings, because they kept their business lives separate, and did not even know how many buildings or rental units he owned.

Ms. Harp is one of the most powerful lawmakers at the Capitol; the co-chairwoman of the General Assembly's budget-writing Appropriations Committee. She works with numbers. She had no inkling about her husband's situation?

If she really knew nothing about the family business, it is time for a crash course. She or her son should present a plan to deal with the tax issues and any code problems that may be outstanding. Otherwise, how can she as mayor deal with landlords, taxpayers and tenants?

Ms. Harp is a strong and popular campaigner and the favorite to become the city's first female mayor. But she owes the voters more than she has thus far given them.

This article was updated to credit the New Haven Independent's reporting.